Match package



H. B. WATKINS MATCH PACKAGE Aug. 13, 1946.

I F116@ Aug. 11. 1942 7?/ A ToRNEYs Patented Aug. 13, 1946 vMATCH PACKAGE VHenry B. Watkins, Worthington, Ohio, assignor to The Kilgore Manufacturing Company, Tipp City, Ohio, a Vcorporation ofOhio Application August 11, 1942, Serial .Na-454,479

8 Claims.

This invention relates to matches and more particularly to a match package in which the matches are adapted to be ignited as they are withdrawn from the package.

Itis .a principal object of theinvention to provvide a match package having lpositive safety features inthat ignition ofthe match is not accomplshed by mere vwithdrawal thereof from the package, but only when ignition is definitely -inrtended and-the act of Withdrawall is accompanied by the application 4of ,pressure to v.a predetermined `area ,of-the package. I

rItis a .furtherobject to provide such a'pack- .age in which the ignition of the match occurs only after it .has left the match holding pocket and -under `such conditions that adequate space is vavailable for the venting of the flame-and gases without burning thepackage itself or the hand of the user. f

Itis astill further object to providea match .package .of .this'character in which the matches -Lcan be saiely replaced in the package -for :sublsequent use in the eventy of a failure of .ignition -When the match isiirst Withdrawn, thus fassuring Ymaximum fuse-of all matches Vin the package.

In the drawing,

.Fig. lisa plan view of a match packagefcon- .structed in .accordance With thefpresentV invention with the cover opened out and folded atinorrvder -.to more clearly illustrate Vthe :construction thereof;

:Fig 2 is ,a perspective view of 4the package showing .the wayin Whichit is held for use, Vcer- Atainfof .the parts being broken to ,illustrate the construction more clearly;

Fig. -3 isa sectional View through the package on the line3-"3 of Fig.'2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a modied form of vpackagavthe `rcover lbeing opened out in the'same :mannerfas shown .in IFig. l;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view'through the modiied .form of package Vshown in Fig.l 4

Fig. 6 is a'plan vview ,of apackage having a double match strip arrangement, the package ibeingfolded flat rto show the vconstruction'thereof; and

`Zl'ig. 7 is.a sectional view throughnthe fform of package sshown in Fig. 6.

In the construction of match lpack-ages con- -tainingmatch'es which rare adapted :to be ignited upon .withdrawahthematch headsrare held 4with- ,in pockets -with the 4ends projecting outwardly therefrom, Iand upon Withdrawal-cfa match from its pocket, ignition takes place ythrough the pro- Vvisionfof astrikerfstrip or frictional-surfacewhich 32 islocatedwithin the match-retaining pocket. The match -head is usually Ayieldably coniined `within the pocket, .requiring the exercise of a definite ,pull `in `order ytoeffect withdrawal thereof from Vthe pocket, and-it isrduringthe .course of its travel through thepocket andwhile-,thehead is still confined yby `thepooket and caused thereby tovfrictionally engage the striker strip, that ignition .takes-place. As aresult, theflash of vignition and initial -burning vtake place with the head still vconiined ,in fthejquite narrow limits of the pocket, this spaceaiording .only ran inadequate vent `for the -escapeof Vthe llame and the combustion gases resulting -therefrom. If-the match is vwithdrawn from the .pocketrelatively slowly, or in `the -event that the match -should actually vbe caused to` ignite and the head .allowedtofremain withinfthematch pocket, the pocket, `andthrough cientrperiod of Atime tube-burned` or injured.

In accordance `With the Vpresent invention, a

y.positive safety feature is provided in that the .mere act yof withdrawing vthe match `fromthe package fdoes vnot provide .for -ignition thereof,

but a further and definite application of presysureisrequired to .be made upon a Vpredetermined 4area Vof Athe `l'flckage,when it is ydesired to have vignition takeplace Thus there is required a de- `nite and correlated -action comprising the Withfdrawal which is effected by one hand, andthe applicationv of ,pressure .ein .a denite area `which `i's :effected by the :other ,hand of the user, such :coordination :providing f or Ythe positive ignition Aof .the match Y,as opposed to accidental ignition thereof.

Further, the invention provides for the ignition Lof the V`.match "taking place only after the head thereof has been Withdrawn or removed from the confining pocket. Thus v.the ash of .ignition and preliminary combustion takes place .in Janarea'which is :relatively free in comparison Awith the conned space of .the ipocket ,and which is furthermore located remotely with :respect'to Ythe heads of kth'efother matches remaining VAinzthe `pockets -so that 'there :is little :or no `possibility ojf accidental ignition vthereof. This is ,accom- :.plished :through fthe location ,of the striker strip in the area outwardly :of and beyond the outer Lends of 'the Vmatch lpockets --so that the match heads do :not frictionally contact the striker strip y.until they have been substantially vWithdrawn from the pockets. `A .flexible Vcover member is Lprovided which voverlies the striker Astrip and maybe depressed upon-manual application s withdrawal.

of pressure to the cover in a predetermined area to thereby force the match head, in the ycourse of its withdrawal and after its release from the pocket, to travel across the striker strip in friction and igniting contact therewith. A relatively light pressure is sufficient for this purpose, the pull required to be exerted on the match head during its passage across the striker` strip being substantially less than that to effect its withdrawal froml the pocket. Thus it is drawn positively and rapidly across and in frictional contact with the striker strip, assuring its ignition and continued withdrawal `and final separation from the package.

Referring to the drawing in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown, the form shown in Figs. 1 to 3 comprises a main cover I which is preferably a strip of relatively heavy paper or paperboard having an intermediate fold line II located eccentrically such as to provide a back cover portion I2 and a front cover portion I3. The match holding strip is shown at I5 comprising a broad flat strip of paper material I6 and an overlying narrower strip of paper material I'I which is corrugated and which when assembled and secured to the strip I6, provides a series of spaced elongated match holding pockets I8 leaving the upper part of strip I6 exposed.

The depth of the corrugations is slightly less than therein. Preferably the ends of the pockets adjacentthe fold line II are crimped and attened as shown at I9 in order to close the inner ends of the pockets. 4'I'he strips are conveniently secured to each other and strip I6 is secured to cover portion l2 by means of adhesive l I'he matches 2B are shown as provided with heads 2I carrying angignitable compound and each received within one'of the pockets I8. The matches have outer extending ends 22 which' are somewhat wider than the body of the match to provide for grasping, the ends extending upwardly toward theupper edge of the cover portion I2 to beprotectedthereby while being available for The pockets I8 are not formed with" an extended friction surface and the matches may thus be inserted or Withdrawn therefrom, the heads moving across the relatively smooth surfaces of strips I6 and Il without `sufficient friction to Acause ignition. In order to provide for ignition,

astriker strip of suitable frictional material is provided which is preferably formed as a coating of friction'al'material 25 upon the outer exposed f part of the match package strip I6. In this posi- 'tion it occupies anarea primarily located outwardly ofthe match pockets; as shown in Fig. 1

`it may extend slightlybelow the outer edge of corrugated strip I1 in order to' extend the area over which the manually applied pressure Yis effective to cause vignition while still causing ignition to occur essentially in the unconfmed space beyond the pocket.

that it overlies the match pockets I 8 and projects upwardly only a limited distance beyond the top edge of the striker strip 25. This provides an overhanging part 28 or strip which extends along the top edge of front cover portion I3, this strip 28 being relatively flexible and forming a pressure applying area through which manual pressure can be applied in the direction of the striker strip. Preferably the area 28 carries suitable legends or instructions as shown in Fig. 2 identiiying the area of the cover portion upon which pressure is to be applied by the user wh'en ignition of thematch being withdrawn is desired. The lower portion of the cover I3 is left clear and is adapted to receive advertising or other printed matter thereon.

Fig. 2 also illustrates the manner in which the package is held during the withdrawal of the match. Thus with the package held between the thumb and the oreflnger of the left hand, the match to be withdrawn is grasped by the'thumb and forenger of the right hand. With the thumb of the left hand in position over the portion 28 of thecover, and substantially in line with the arrows showing the proper point of pressure application, a slight pressure upon strip 28 will cause it to be flexed and depressed toward the back cover portion I2 such as to coni-lne the match head during the course of its withdrawal and to force it to move in friction and igniting contact across striker strip 25. It is found that a relatively slight pressure will sufce for producing the desired ignition, the pressure so applied actually being less than that which is applied to the end of the match in order to withdraw it from its pocket. Whenhowever the package is held in such a, way that no pressure is applied to pressure strip 28, then the match may be withdrawn without igniting and if desired may be similarly replaced in its pocket. It'will also be seen that upon ignition the Iiame and combustion gases are not confined to a small space but can escape laterally all directions and thus the possibility of injury ordamage to the user or to the package is substantially reduced oreliminated. Y

VReferring now to Figs. 4 and 5, Vsimilar'parts are shown with the same reference numbers and the description" thereof V'need not be repeated. This construction diers in that the front cover portion I3 is made somewhat longer and is formed with a scoreline or depression 30 Awhich separates pressur'strip'28` from the main part of the front cover, the score line forming'an inner rib which asY shown-in Y5 projects toward and is located approximately in-alignrnent with the outer edge of striker strip 25.

The operation of this construction is as follows: Rib 3U tends to concentrate the pressure applied by the thumb in a definite line above and substantially at the outer end of the striker strip so that as the head ofthe match is withdrawn under the rib, itis caused. to come in frictional and igniting contact with the striker strip. Thus the applied pressure is made effective in the area desired even though they thumb should not be positioned accurately above the striker strip and in line with the head of the match being withdrawn. It will also be noted that in this arrangement the pressure strip 28 extends upwardly somewhat .beyond the outer edgeof the striker strip thus aifording further protection to the hand of the user and tending to preventr any possible burning thereof. l Y Y 4 In the arrangement shown in Figs. v6 and 7, the

l be easilygrasped and withdrawn rst.

@over is :constructed :substantially :the :same as shown iin Figs. e :andfexcept that-,in this form each :ofthe inner faces of-the cover receives "a match strip I5, the two match strips being 'secured respectively to theinner faces of the covers .with corresponding inner ends located adjacent "the fold Vline ll. Preferably-the stripacarried by the lback coveris spaced slightly farther from the'fcld line than `that carried by vthefront cover. It will thus be clear that uponthefolding.of-ithe cover portions upon :each other, `'the two-match strips may be secured in face to .face contact vby the application-of adhesive ,providing a match'package inthe yform shown inFigj'Y. In this arrangement the rearstrippf matches projects up above the ifront strip so that they can AS dS- scribed above, the :withdrawal of a match from either strip VAin v,the absence of pressure :application tothe pressure strip Y28 maytake place without ignition. However when'ignition is desired, pressure is applied to the strip 128 thereby deecting'the flexible pressure strip and-the rib 30 toward the back coversection |.2,-both frontand backbeing'exed sufliciently to confine the match heads so that a match frometiher strip will be caused to frictionally engage the striker strip with which it is `associatedfin the course of its withdrawing action.

The invention .therefore provides in a `highly simple vandsatisfactory*mannen a safety feature which 'is incorporated in ,the match package, avoiding vaccidental ignition upon mere withdrawal, and providing for ignition positively and freely when'the act of Ywithdrawal is performed in conjunction with the application of pressure to a predetermined area of the package.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A match package comprising a backing strip, a corrugated strip forming a series of pockets on said backing strip, matches having heads eX- tending into said pockets and having ends projecting outwardly therefrom in position to be grasped and withdrawn while being protected by said backing strip, a striker strip on said backing strip located beyond the outer end of said pockets and engageable by the matches only after withdrawal thereof from the pockets, and a nexible cover separate from and overlying said pockets and extending outwardly a limited distance lbeyond the outer edge of said striker strip but terminating short of the outer ends of the matches and adapted to be manually pressed toward said striker strip to effect friction and igniting contact of said match head therewith as it is withdrawn while affording protection for the fingers of the user.

2, A match package comprising a match holding strip having a plurality of pockets formed therein, a backing strip to which said pockets are secured, matches having their' heads received Within said pockets and extending outwardly toward but not beyond the outer edge thereof in position to be withdrawn therefrom, a single drawal thereof from fsaid pockets, said A bac-king strip being-:formed with an` integral foldedz'cover portion extending,outwardly-beyond said pockets and said vstriker strip and terminating Vinwardly of the ends 'of zthe lmatches and adapted to .be pressed toward .said `striker strip -to lforce :the match vheads into friction lcontact with said striker Vstrip-gas the matchis withdrawn'and after it :leaves said pocket while :providing :for `insertion and removall of matches from said pockets without ignition in the :absencefof such pressure.

f3. A ,matchpackage :comprising a m-atchholding strip having a 4plurality of .pockets 'formed therein, matches having heads extending kinto said pockets and having ends .projecting outwardly therefrom in position to Vbe grasped and withdrawn, a striker strip located outwardly .of said pcckets'and engageable with the ymatch head only after substantially complete withdrawal thereof fromitspocket, and a flexible cover member `secured over said pocketsandhaving a 'free outer end overlying-and projecting beyond Tsaid striker strip in the direction of withdrawal vof the matches, vsaid striker strip and said outer end .of ,said-.cover member ,being in substantially free and yielding relationto each other-providing for `removal and replacement of the matches therebetween 'without ignition, said outer endbeingadaptedto `be manually pressed Ltoward said striker strip to force .said Vmatch heads .during withdrawal'intofriction,and igniting contactwith said striker strip following `their removal from the pockets.

4. A match package comprising ia match'holding strip 'having .a plurality'of pockets formed therein, matches having heads extending into said pockets and having ends projecting outwardly therefrom in position to be grasped and withdrawn, a striker strip located at the outer end of said pockets and engageable with the match head only after withdrawal thereof from its pocket, and a flexible cover member overlying said striker strip, said cover member having a transversely extending rib projecting toward said striker strip and adapted to be manually depressed to connne the match heads into friction and igniting Contact therewith upon withdrawal.

5. A match package comprising a match holding strip having a plurality of pockets formed therein, matcheshaving heads extending into said pockets and having ends projecting outwardly 4therefrom in position to be grasped and withdrawn, a striker strip located at the outer end of said pockets and enga-geable with the match head only after withdrawal thereof from its pocket, and a flexible cover member, said cover member having a transversely extending rib projecting toward said striker strip and substantially in alignment with the outer end thereof, said cover member and said rib being adapted to be manually depressed toward said striker strip to force said match heads into friction and igniting contact with said striker strip upon withdrawal.

6. A match package comprising an outer cover vfolded upon itself along an intermediate fold line providing a back cover portion and a front cover portion, a match holding strip having a plurality of pockets formed therein and secured to the inner face of said back cover strip, matches having heads extending into said pockets and having ends projecting outwardly therefrom in position to be protected by said back cover strip while being available for withdrawal, a striker strip located beyond the outer end of said pockets and engageable by the match being withdrawn only after the withdrawal of the head thereof from its pocket, said front cover member being secured to said pockets and having a iiexible portion adjacent its outer end extending outwardly beyond said striker strip and adapted to be manually pressed toward said striker strip to coniine the match heads and force their frictional engagement therewith during withdrawal, said exible portion and said striker strip lbeing in substantially free and yielding relation to each other in the absence of said pressure and providingfor removal and insertion of said matches without ignition.

7. A match packagecomprising an outer cover folded upon itself along an intermediate fold line providing back and front cover portions, match holding strips having a series of pockets formed therein secured to opposed faces of each of said cover portions, matches having heads eX- tending into said pockets and having ends projecting outwardly therefrom in position to be grasped and withdrawn, a striker strip located portion to confine the space therebetween and force the match being wtihdrawn into friction and igniting contact with one of said striker strips.

8. A match package containing matches adapted to be ignited upon removal from the package under pressure comprising two strips of paper material secured together one of which isY corrugated to provide a series of match holding pockets, the other of said strips being folded along a line substantially parallel to said corrugated strip forming two unequal parts folded one upon the other, matches having ignitable heads withdrawably conned in said pockets and extending beyond the shorter but terminating inwardly of the longer of said parts, a striker strip 'carried by the longer of said parts and located outwardly of said pockets and frictionally engageable with said match heads only after substantially oom'- plete withdrawal thereof from said pockets, the shorter of said parts forming a cover member secured in overlying relation upon said corrugated strip and having its outer end freely supported in overlying relation with respect to said striker strip and extending outwardly beyond said striker strip and terminating inwardly of the ends of the matches, the outer end of said cover member being freely supported and depressible upon'application of pressure to the area thereof directly above said striker strip and in line with the match being withdrawn to cause each said match to ignite under the combined action of being withdrawn and of said predetermined pressure application. f

HENRY B. WATKINS. 

